THE ROLE OF AUSTRALIAN DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE IN ENHANCING INDONESIA'S HUMAN DEVELOPMENT THROUGH AUSTRALIA AWARDS PROGRAM (2013-2014)

Abstract

Indonesia is one of Australia's closest neighbours who continue to face increasingly complex development challenges of rising inequality. Australia is committed to help developing countries through the achievement of Millennium Development Goals and is determined to provide assistance for Indonesia to run its development programs. Australian foreign aid program is funded by the Australian Government and is managed by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Australian Government built a partnership program with the Government of Indonesia which focuses on enhancing Indonesia's human development through a program called Australia Awards. This study uses foreign aid theory and second track diplomacy theory as perspectives to help elaborate the role of the Australian DFAT in enhancing Indonesia's human development through Australia Awards program. The theories explain the concept of international development assistance provided by donor countries to recipient countries and the motives behind the provision of foreign aid. The result of this study is framed under the five end-of-program outcomes of the Australia Awards program: (i) Indonesian alumni use their knowledge, skills and attitude in their professional fields; (ii) Indonesian alumni use their knowledge, skills and attitude in their communities; (iii) Indonesian alumni have, or support, links with Australia, Australian organizations, or Australians; (iv) Indonesian alumni have links with other Australia Awards alumni, or their organizations, in Indonesia and world-wide; and (v) Indonesian alumni view Australia and Australians in a positive light. The study discovers that Australia Awards has made excellent progress toward its expected results proving that studying in Australia has had a positive impact on the work and lives of the Indonesian scholars who received Australia Awards scholarships.